MIZUNO ST200 FAIRWAY WOODS

Cost: $449. Tested by: Jimmy Emanuel, Golf Australia Deputy Editor (GA Handicap 9.4).

MODEL PLAYED: ST200 3TS with 15° loft, fitted with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana D+ White 7 shaft and ST200 3W with 15° loft, with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana S+ Blue 7 shaft. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Just like the drivers reviewed in the August issue of Golf

Australia magazine, the ST200 fairways are a reminder Mizuno is much more than an exemplary producer of forged irons in 2020.

The latest fairway woods, like the drivers, have a modernised classic appearance that has been designed to suit the eyes of Tour players, while the sound and feel is certainly among the standout features of the ST200.

When it comes to ball flight, a strong, boring trajectory was a pleasure to see when looking up from early strikes and the adjustable TS model and standard 3-wood offer enough variation to justify both having a place in Mizuno’s wood line-up. HOW THEY PERFORMED: The appearance at address of these two fairway woods really grew on me as my time went on testing the ST200s, partially because I gained an appreciation for its simplicity having taken little notice early. The early indifference likely due to a very inoffensive look that is large enough to inspire confidence but certainly not oversized.

As mentioned earlier, the feel and sound off the clubface was a real plus when using the ST200 fairways on the range and course, as well as both off a tee and from the fairway.

A solid, powerful sound was a nice change from some of the higher pitched fairway woods on the market, with the adjustable model the slightly louder of the two models. This was most noticeable on mis-hits, which certainly did not feel bad, but gave feedback that despite little distance loss and ball flight change the strike had not been on the centre of the sweet spot.

In terms of ball flight, beyond a mid-launch and low spin trajectory, the ST200 3-wood was very reliable and forgiving, producing a high draw on most occasions for me. This was a great flight to have when going after some longer par-5s in two shots, and working the ball lower and also producing a fade, a shot I hit regularly off the tee with 3-wood, was fairly easily achieved.

In contrast, I found the adjustable model to fly a little lower (in part due to the shaft) and with a very straight to slightly fading trajectory as the standard shot shape.

Making adjustments to the hosel allowed for ball flight changes, with a little extra loft producing a similar flight to the standard model, while openning the face and taking loft off created a low flying fade that never went left and made for a very good tee shot club personally.

Both models also impressed with distance. Compared to my own current model 3-wood, the ST200s more than kept up and on more than one occasion exceeded my club.

Overall, the ST200 fairway woods impressed in a number of ways during my testing, but mostly through outstanding feel and ball flight consistency. Never suffering from a really big miss, I was able to swing with confidence and as a result my distances seemed to increase as I spent more time with both models. Personally, the adjustable model really suited my needs, as I rely on a 3-wood in different ways depending on the course I am playing or the state of my game. However, the forgiveness and consistency of the standard model, combined with its sound and feel, meant it could quite easily find a place in my bag.